Overcombe Corner
OVERCOMBE CORNER: Temporary Landing Ground? Or aerodrome?
(Including LODMOOR - which I assume is the same location)
Note: In September 2020 Mr Michael Holder very kindly sent me these two maps and the photo. What is very interesting is that three aircraft appear in this picture, (see NOTES below). From left to right a Nieuport Monoplane, a Short Bros biplane and a Deperdussin monoplane. So - who was flying/owning the third aeroplane? Without much if any doubt the Short biplane was the Short S.38 Hydro-aeroplane that had been flown off HMS Hibernia by Lt. C Samson whilst under way in Weymouth Bay.
Second note: We have Mr Stephen Foster, who is heavily involved with the excellent museum at EASTCHURCH in Kent, to thank for helping to correctly caption the pictures and providing much of the information.
Note: A couple of days later Mike Holder unearthed these two pictures. It seems reasonable to suppose that Hucks was flying the Blériot XI and it was Captain Gerrard who brought his Nieuport IV to the event.
NOTES: It seems that in May 1912 Claude Grahame-White and Benny Hucks transported their aircraft to Weymouth, and assembled them at ‘The Weymouth Cricket Club’ grounds at Overcombe Corner, also described as LODMOOR airstrip, and, “Aviation Ground and Hangars.” The idea being that they’d fly across the Navy ‘Home Fleet Review’, a task which it seems they achieved.
Some time ago I made this comment: "Another account I have found says that the Royal Navy paid for these three aircraft to be delivered to LODMOOR. Perhaps this is correct but it seems so unlikely. Why would the Navy employ civilian pilots at HENDON, when they could have used naval machines and crew at EASTCHURCH?"
Mr Stephen Foster has kindly provided the answer. "It was because at the time (May 1912), the Admiralty did not own any aircraft! The Short S38 was owned at the time by Francis McClean of the Aero Club of Great Britain. He rented it to the Admiralty for training purposes. It was bought later by the Admiralty in 1912 on Lt. Samson's recommendation."
Later, (after making the initial listing above), I learnt that apparently Hucks then flew non-stop back to HENDON, 133 miles in 105 minutes, presumably taking advantage of a stonking tailwind.
THE STORY UNFOLDS?
In June 2018 I was kindly sent this picture from a postcard by Mike Charlton who has an amazing collection. See: www.aviationpostcard.co.uk
As can be seen the caption is - the 'New' aerodrome. So - was there and 'old' aerodrome? Probably not I suspect? Clearly this aerodrome is well established, and, although having limited knowledge of the area, that large hill in the top right hand corner certainly suggests to me that this is OVERCOMBE CORNER.
A QUERY:
The caption on this postcard, sent to me by Gerald Clark, is as above; 'Naval aeroplanes at Lodmoor, Weymouth' and is dated 1912. As the aircraft (just the one can be seen) is clearly on floats, but probably with wheels attached to the main floats, I would like to make a suggestion. On the 10th of January 1912, Lt. Samson made the first ever take-off from a battleship (HMS Africa) with a Short S.38, as it was moored in Sheerness harbour (KENT). However, as Lt. Samson made the first take-off from a ship under way in Weymouth Bay, this picture is surely of the Short S.38 Hydro-Aeroplane, being flown by Lt. Samson, quite probably after taking-off from OVERCOMBE CORNER.
Note: This picture scanned from British Aviation - The Pioneer Years, by Harald Penrose and first published in 1967 does not give the identity of the ship. I think there were only two initially used for these trials, HMS Africa and HMS Hibernia? It now appears that the launching deck was transferred from HMS Africa to HMS Hibernia prior to the Naval Review at Portland.
Nevertheless it does give us a very good idea of what was involved - it all looks rather precarious. I wonder if those pilots had much of a problem explaining that the ship, especially when moving, had to be facing exactly into wind?
Later in May he made the first launch from a moving warship during the Naval Review at Portland. This was the first launch of its kind anywhere in the world. The north part of Portland Bill can be clearly seen.
MORE INFORMATION
In his excellent book, British Aviation - The Pioneer Years, by Harald Penrose first published in 1967, he has this to add. "Early in May a great Naval Review was held in Portland Harbour....At the instigation of Commodore Murray Seuter the Admiralty had decided that the Naval Wing of the R.F.C. should demonstrate the far-sightedness of the Navy by taking a prominent part in proceedings. The Short monoplane, together with a Deperdussin, was sent to a field at Lodemore*, 5 miles from Portland; one of the Short S.27s was fitted with twin air-bag floats designed by Oswald Short, and the new big S.41 tractor twin-float biplane was brought to Portland aboard the Hibernia."
*Almost certainly LODMOOR/OVERCOMBE CORNER
Stephen Foster also points out that there is no record of a Short monoplane being present at this event.
A MICHAEL T HOLDER GALLERY
In mid 2022 Mike Holder, a great friend of this 'Guide', very kindly investigated the period in May 1912 when the Naval Fleet review was taking place and the results are shown below. This gallery certainly helps to expand and clarify the situation which was taking place in Weymouth Bay.
Note: The first article was published in The Aeroplane on the 9th May 1912. The first picture was also published in The Aeroplane, but on the 16th May. and shows the Short S38 biplane on board HMS Hibernia. Interesting to note that the editor could not see any potential for launching aeroplanes from warships using a catapult. The second picture showing Cdr. Samson landing near the coaling wharf at Portland was also published in The Aeroplane on the 16th May.
Note: The third, fourth and fifth pictures were here again published in The Aeroplane on the 16th May. The third picture shows the Short S41 being loaded onto a naval lighter.
Here again Mr Stephen Foster kindly points out that the fourth picture is incorrectly captioned. It actually shows the Blériot XI being unloaded. The aircraft behind is very probably the Deperdussin. The same mis-caption applies to the fifth picture.
The fourth and fifth pictures clearly show another aspect, rarely mentioned, of how the Royal Navy could deliver, by sea, aeroplanes that could then be operated from the land. Very practical for spotting duties when the warships are operating near to land.
The sixth picture and the second article were also published in The Aeroplane on the 16th May 1912. The sixth picture shows the engine of the Shorts S38 biplane being started on board HMS Hibernia. As Mr Stephen Foster points out, far from the engine being started, it was still being loaded. Perhaps of little comfort to learn that even in those days, the press and their photographers had scant regard for the facts getting in the way of what seemed a better story.
He also points out that an article in Flight magazine on the 11th May states that HMS Hibernia had "4 aeroplanes on board, and that three were landed on the 3rd May." As Stephen asks, "I am not certain how to interpret this. Does it mean that four aircraft, (the Short S38, S41, Blériot XI and Deperdussin) were stored overnight on the launch platform and put onto lighters the following morning?" I can see his point, but suspect there may well have been just enough room on the deck?
ANOTHER DETAIL
On the other hand, it is recorded that, as part of the Daily Mail sponsored tour of southern England, also in 1912, Hubert Latham demonstrated 'a display of flying' from Weymouth, using a floatplane. This was, it is thought, a Farman type.
A STORY
From the start of researching this project, I did realise that it could easily become as entertaining as reading an old telephone directory. So, have been very keen to find good stories to lighten the gloom. Therefore, was very happy to be sent this account by Jack Newman by Stephen Foster, regarding Jack's father's recollections.
"Early Days The Year is 1912. My father has been in the Royal Navy for nine months and has just completed his initial training at HMS Ganges, a shore establishment. Together with the rest of his class of boy seamen he is drafted to HMS Hibernia, a battleship and also the Irish Flag Ship for further training at sea. When the young men arrive on board they learn that the ship is just about to sail to join the rest of the fleet gathered in Weymouth Bay on the coast of England." (My note: Can remember as a youngster going on holiday to Dorset in the 1950s. Very akin today to going abroad to distinctly foreign climes).
"They also learn that they have been singled out to take a small part in an operation that will make its way into the history books. The battleship that they have just joined has an ungainly appearance. A long wooden platform sloping downwards has been built over the forward gun turret. As they hurried on board a flimsy bi-plane is winched up from a lighter lying alongside and as soon as it is stowed away correctly the ship weighs anchor and sets sail."
"Dad and the other boys are then told that when they arrive at Weymouth their ship is going to attempt the first take off by an aircraft from a moving ship in the Royal Navy. Because this is a special occasion the whole fleet has been anchored in two lines of warships in the bay and Hibernia is going to steam between them so that the event can be watched by as many senior officers as possible. Apart from many admirals, the king himself George V will also be present."
"During the voyage Dad and the other boy seamen are given training in releasing the toggle that restrained the aircraft so that it could then run down the platform and hopefully leap into the air. (My note: "Leap" is not a term I would have used). On the day chosen the boys are very nervous as they are mustered just in front of the ships bridge. They can see the many officers and men watching from the assembled ships as the Hibernia turns to pass between them. Several admirals and members of the press are crowded together on their ships bridge just behind where they are standing in a line loosely holding onto a single rope attached to the toggle."
"Dad said that whilst waiting for the pilot to appear one of the boys was having a good laugh at the appearance of Mr. Short, a brother of the aircrafts builder. Apparently Mr. Short had a rather large head. Unknown to the boy however the ships Commander was standing right behind him and he planted a well polished right boot under the stern of the offending boy and there was no more joking or sky larking after that."
"At a signal from the captain, the pilot Lt Commander Sampson, climbed up into the cockpit of the biplane and a mechanic swung the propeller to start the engine. All except one restraining rope to the toggle were unlashed as the pilot ran the engine up to full power. (My note: Hardly the best way to get any engine warmed up). Then the pilot dropped his left hand and the boys pulled hard on the remaining rope to release the toggle. Dad said that they did this so well that we ended up in a heap on the bridge under the feet of the senior officers, much to their amusement."
"The little aircraft accelerated down the ramp and rose into the air before reaching the end of it. The pilot flew on at low level between the waiting ships where he was cheered heartedly by their ships companies as the aircraft flew by. He then went on to land at an airfield near Weymouth. Lt Commander Sampson was immediately promoted and after being congratulated had dinner with his majesty that evening at the palace. He later formed the first RNAS camp at Eastchurch on the Isle of Sheppy. My dad spent the entire First World War aboard motor torpedo boats operating in the North Sea, but that is another story".
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